8 replies to this topic

[tillenterprises]

Hello- I need help on something that's driving me crazy! I've been fortunate to be able to fix a few 5200 controllers, but please, how do you remove the piece of trim at the top of the controller, that holds the start, pause, and reset buttons overlay in place? I've been trying to figure out how to do it without breaking it.

[Cafeman]

I had trouble with that too at first. It just pops off, then you'll see the flex circuit underneath. Do NOT try to pull the flex ciruit out, you won't be able to get it back in correctly.

Keep messing with it and you should see how it just pops off.

[-^Cro§Bow^-]

What I use is a small (like a pocket sized) flat head screwdriver. I then stick it between the reset rubber and the plastic on the inside and then pry upwards from the bottom. Usually the plastic trim will just pop off and hit ya in the nose or something to let you know it is off. Worst damage I have ever done by doing it this way...was I put a small hold in the rubber boot of the pause button. But it didn't effect the use of the button in the slightest...and you couldn't even see the hole once the trim was snapped back into place.

[badbrad]

I use a credit card/drivers license type thing to pry them off, doesn't scratch anything.

Brad

[sku_u]

I've also found that a paperclip if unfolded works very well. Exercise caution and patience and you'll get the piece off.

[RangerG]

I like the credit card idea. I posted this exact question several weeks ago because I have messed up too many bezels by using a screwdriver from the outside. Good ideas!

[-^Cro§Bow^-]

You only scratch the bezel if you pry from the outside...my suggestion was to place the screwdriver between the button and then under the plastic on on the inside and then pry up. This is what I did with all the 5200 sticks I fixed for Albert for the CGE show and I didn't add any additional marks on those bezels that weren't already there.

the older bezel style that isn't textures is easier to remove as I can just use my finger nail and pry it up that way. The newer textured ones don't have this lip on them to pry it up from. So the screwdriver method is needed for that.

[King Atari]

You people are braver than I am. I'd be afraid that I'd break something.

[voiddweller]

-^Cro§Bow^- said:

...my suggestion was to place the screwdriver between the button and then under the plastic on on the inside and then pry up...

Yes, this works for me every time. If you plan on keeping your 5200 for a while, just invest $9 in a small electrical screwdriver set at RadioShack.

They have standard heads that are small enough to do it either way, without maring the plastic.

- VD